Occ. Code 8382000

OFFENDER REHABILITATION COORDINATOR, GRADE 19

8382000

SUPERVISING OFFENDER REHABILITATION COORDINATOR,

GRADE 22

8382300

New York State Department of Civil Service

Classification Standard

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF CLASS SERIES

Offender Rehabilitation Coordinators apply social casework principles to the social, educational, vocational rehabilitation, and preparation of offenders released to community supervision (parole and post-release supervision) and under strict and intensive supervision and treatment (SIST) pursuant to Article 10 of the Mental Hygiene Law. They: guide and assist offenders in their adjustment to their new environment, identifying appropriate treatment services for offenders with significant problems and special needs (e.g., alcohol and substance abuse, mental illness, medical issues and disability, education, employment and vocational needs, homelessness, family dysfunction, and delinquency); prepare offenders for release into the community by encouraging them to enhance their educational and vocational skills and modify their behavior; develop final community supervision and discharge plans; and ensure that targeted services are identified pre-release and community-based supports are available upon release. Offender Rehabilitation Coordinators also prepare comprehensive release reports that are utilized by the Board of Parole in the discretionary release decision making process and when establishing the conditions of release. The comprehensive release reports are also utilized by field parole officers during the community preparation investigation phase. They also complete risk and needs assessments for the purposes of offender targeted treatment and programming and preparation for release to community supervision.

Supervising Offender Rehabilitation Coordinators supervise Offender Rehabilitation Coordinators in the performance of their duties.

These positions exist statewide at the various correctional facilities of the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision.

RELATED CLASSES

Correction Counselor Aides assist the counseling staff in their casework, including: interviewing offenders; administering assessment tools for academic and program needs; maintaining case files; providing personal assistance to offenders for the maintenance of family contacts via telephone and written correspondence; assisting offenders in completing complex written forms; and explaining rules and procedures.

Education Counselors provide counseling services to aid offenders in making effective adjustments to facility education programs in facilities that have large education programs.

Parole Officers provide supervision and guidance to an assigned caseload of offenders released from State and local correctional facilities to ensure and assist in compliance with terms and conditions of their release. They perform both social casework and law enforcement functions, which require social casework experience in the development and implementation of treatment services; firearms training; and knowledge of arrest procedures and criminal law. In the performance of their duties, Parole Officers also work with community-based organizations to deliver needed services to an offender population under court-imposed sentences.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

OFFENDER REHABILITATION COORDINATOR: entry level; provide guidance to offenders by assessing needs, preparing evaluations, and preparing eligible offenders for release into the community; and prepare documents regarding offenders readiness for release for consideration by the Board of Parole.

SUPERVISING OFFENDER REHABILITATION COORDINATOR: first supervisory level; supervise the work of Offender Rehabilitation Coordinators, paraprofessional staff, and clerical support staff in the Guidance, Counseling and Community Supervision Unit; may serve as Chair of the Inmate Program Committee; provide guidance and input into the Board of Parole process, supervision plans, risk/needs assessment plans, case intelligence information, and casework supervision; act as liaisons between DOCCS and the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) and the Office of Mental Health (OMH). Supervising Offender Rehabilitation Coordinators are also responsible for the coordination and supervision of the monthly Parole Board interview and case review.

ILLUSTRATIVE DUTIES

OFFENDER REHABILITATION COORDINATOR

Meets with assigned offenders to gather information about an offenders background, interests, and abilities, and provides the offender with information about the facility and its programs.

· Obtains and reviews all pertinent records and reports on newly assigned offenders, including probation reports, criminal records, and information concerning family, education, employment, health, and other personal matters.

· Identifies missing documentation or inaccuracies in the offenders record, including sentence and commitment documents and time/date computations, and initiates action to ensure that the missing documentation is obtained and that inaccuracies are corrected.

· Interviews assigned offenders to assess their individual criminogenic needs, capacities, educational level, family circumstances, behavioral problems, and aspirations.

· Gathers and evaluates information necessary to create a newly admitted offenders re-entry file and develops a case plan.

· Prepares and presents case analyses, recommending educational programming, vocational training, or work programs, to the Program Committee as appropriate, based on assessments and interviews.

· Discusses with the offender the programs available at the facility and the offender's abilities and desires concerning appropriate programming.

· Screens the list of persons with whom the offender requests correspondence privileges to remove undesirables such as co-offenders, and to verify claimed relationships.

· Periodically conducts a portion of the basic orientation for a group of new offenders by orally explaining the facilitys rules, regulations, and programs so that the offender can understand the institutions purpose, programs, and population.

Guides offenders in adjusting to a facilitys programs by identifying problems that affect the offenders behavior and attitudes and by developing an appropriate rehabilitation program.

· Meets with an offender periodically to discuss either the offenders progress and attitudes or any particular problem within the facility which may affect the offenders progress in adjusting to the facility or in selecting an appropriate program.

· Uses motivational interviewing with direct or indirect counseling techniques to identify adjustment and programming problems and to explore alternative solutions.

· Updates and adjusts supervision planning activities as necessary throughout the offenders period of incarceration based on an evaluation of the offenders progress and needs.

· May assist an offender being held in keeplock status in preparing for a disciplinary hearing by obtaining documents.

Guides a group of offenders in identifying individual or group problems that may affect behavior and attitudes.

· Meets with a group of selected offenders and, using group counseling techniques, attempts to facilitate an exchange of views.

· Guides discussion in order to effectively and efficiently utilize available time.

Recommends and refers offenders for services provided by others or for inclusion in needed programs.

· Acts as the intermediary between offenders and their families in an effort to strengthen support and support networks in the community via interventions such as visitation, counseling, parenting, services for children and other family members, and release preparation.

· Advocates on behalf of offenders needing service; coordinates advocacy efforts with the Supervising Offender Rehabilitation Coordinator on cases that meet the criteria for special discharge planning services.

· Based on the findings during the interview or from a review of the records, may refer an offender to a Physician, Psychologist, Psychiatrist, or other professional for special help, testing, or diagnosis.

· Follows up on all referrals to ensure that services were rendered.

· May screen and recommend offenders for special programs such as CASAT, Work Release, Shock Incarceration or Vocational Rehabilitation, and may assist the offender to find employment.

Guides offenders in the identification and resolution of personal problems not directly caused by or related to facility living, and in preparation for release from incarceration.

· Acts as an intermediary between the offender and persons or agencies outside the facility to ensure that family or business matters are attended to. In this capacity, may prepare correspondence for the offender, search records, discuss matters with members of the family, obtain licenses, etc.

· Informs offenders of events concerning close relatives or friends which may be upsetting to the offender and which may require very careful handling, such as death or family sick notifications.

· Ensures that offenders obtain identification records including a social security card, birth certificate, alien registration card, DD-214, and DMV non-drivers identification.

· Prepares and submits service applications as well as consent and release of information forms.

· Provides offenders with information concerning rights and requirements pertaining to veteran status, income tax, licenses, Social Security, social services emergency assistance, retirement funds, etc., and ensures that offenders receive the benefits to which they are entitled.

May serve or act as a chairperson of one or more committees which may evaluate, classify, and program offenders.

· Prepares documents in preparation for review by committee.

· On a quarterly basis or upon the request of one of the facility committees, prepares a detailed written record based on a review of the offenders record and on discussions with individual offenders concerning each offenders progress and adjustment to the facility and the program.

· Prepares simple statistical information on a periodic basis for the Central Office staff.

· May update and review facility procedures and internal controls in assigned accreditation folders for the purpose of maintaining facility accreditation.

Implements discharge planning activities in order to prepare offenders for release and reintegration into the community.

· Obtains from OMH, OCFS, medical unit or other facility-based program, information necessary for continuing development of the supervision plan in preparation for release to parole/post-release supervision or release to supervision under Article 10 of the Mental Hygiene Law.

· Confers with the Supervising Offender Rehabilitation Coordinator or Deputy Superintendent for Program Services on individual cases in preparation for assignment and discharge planning; serves as a facility-based link between the Board of Parole, criminal justice agencies and law enforcement partners, community service providers, and assigned field staff in developing a supervision plan.

· Initiates the community preparation investigation assignment process, monitoring the field investigation and providing additional information and documentation to field staff as required.

· Initiates out-of-state residence and program investigations in accord with the Interstate Compact Agreement. Acts as the liaison with the Departments Interstate Bureau with regard to pending investigations, case assignments, and community preparation investigations.

Prepares comprehensive evaluative summary reports for Board of Parole consideration and review.

· Completes the Reentry Risk and Needs Assessment in connection with the Parole Board interviews or case reviews.

· Ensures that assessments have been made available to field staff at the time of the community preparation investigations.

Attends Board of Parole hearings and, when necessary, provides panel members with additional case specific information and documentation needed to complete the hearing.

May serve the offender with the Board of Parole decision notice and advises regarding further release opportunity and the administrative appeal process.

Participates in rescission and preliminary parole violation hearings.

· Investigates any circumstances or incidents surrounding the possible rescission or preliminary violation of parole.

· Documents investigative findings.

· Secures appropriate documentation and evidence.

· Makes arrangements for the appearance of witnesses.

· Assists the offender with securing defense attorney representation.

· May represent the Department at the hearing, including presenting the charges and/or supporting information, cross examining witnesses, and providing the Parole Board with recommendations regarding the case.

Coordinates with field parole staff in the development of the final discharge and supervision plan.

· Initiates referrals for post-release services.

· Confers with assigned field staff and the Supervising Offender Rehabilitation Coordinator on cases that meet the criteria for special discharge planning.

· Integrates any additional recommendations made by the Board of Parole into the final supervision plan.

· Ensures that the supervision plan is complete and that all required documents are available prior to the established released date

· Conducts the pre-release interview and explains and provides guidance regarding the conditions of release. Verifies and explains reporting instructions and reviews service appointment information with the offender.

Attends and/or leads various transitional services informational meetings for offenders as directed, including: orientation for new offenders (Phase I); Transitional Services (Phase II) Thinking for a Change; pre-Parole Board informational sessions; and Transitional Services (Phase III) - Re-entry Preparation.

Performs other associated duties assigned by the Supervising Offender Rehabilitation Coordinator or Deputy Superintendent for Program Services as required.

SUPERVISING OFFENDER REHABILITATION COORDINATOR

Supervises a staff of Offender Rehabilitation Coordinators.

· Supervises, trains, and schedules employees and/or offender workers, including preparing evaluations and counseling employees as needed, reviewing subordinates work, and time and attendance issues.

· Provides staff development and in-service training to staff.

· Supervises staff in the preparation of the comprehensive release reports, risk and needs assessments, community preparation investigation materials, and related reports for Parole Board appearances and case reviews.

Directs the Guidance/Community Supervision Units in the areas of counseling, specialized treatment, case management and social casework, sex offender programming and treatment, offender orientation, community supervision orientation, offender classification, and development of supervision and discharge plans.

· Coordinates practices and procedures in accordance with the Guidance and Counseling Manual and ensures that staff adheres to established Department policies and procedures.

· Coordinates procedures for sex offender registration.

· Reviews all offender transfers.

· May update and review facility procedures and internal controls in assigned accreditation folders for the purpose of maintaining facility accreditation.

Oversees activities or serves as part of various committees regarding inmate programming, temporary release, and time allowance.

· Chairs Offender Program Committee on a weekly basis to program and review offender assignments and updates the master offender job listing monthly.

· Supervises Temporary Release Program activities.

· May supervise offender organizations.

· May serve on Time Allowance Committees as outlined in Title 7, Chapter 5: Procedures for Standards of Offender Behavior and for Granting Good Behavior Time Allowances.

· May serve as a member of various facility committees.

· Coordinates the Earned Eligibility Program (EEP), including assessing and establishing program/EEP plans and evaluations.

Plans, coordinates, and implements supervision plans for offenders who meet the criteria of having disabilities and/or special needs.

· Monitors and maintains a system to identify, track, and report on cases requiring special discharge planning services.

· Completes Reasonable Accommodation Referrals to Central Office.

· Assesses special needs cases and establishes a supervision plan timeline.

· Develops and implements a written discharge plan for offenders who meet the criteria for special discharge planning services and ensures timely release to appropriate community programs.

· Ensures that applications for Social Security Disability, Medicaid, public assistance, and other benefits and services are completed, submitted, and updated.

· Identifies appropriate community resources for offenders, and advocates for services by preparing, submitting, and updating referral material.

Performs pre-Board, Parole Board, and discharge planning services for clients in the custody of OCFS and OMH.

Arranges for multi-disciplinary case conferences as required, in order to develop and coordinate implementation of discharge plans. Maintains a liaison role with various agencies including OMH and OCFS.

· Arranges interviews for offenders with service providers, and represents the Department during team case reviews with community service providers.

· Tracks out-to-hospital cases and makes arrangements for special Parole Board appearance cases, including Medical Parole and Full Board Case Review.

Provides notification and service documents to the field supervision team, and where appropriate, utilizes the Field Supervision team for offenders who require additional services or specialized treatment.

Writes and submits timely reports and documents related to discharge planning.

Attends Parole Board hearings and oversees operation of hearings.

· Notifies offenders of the Board of Parole appearance or review and arranges for reasonable accommodations as necessary

· Approves the final Board of Parole calendar and provides notification to OMH and OCFS.

· Makes arrangements for the appearances of any interpreters, witnesses, and attorneys required to be present for discretionary interviews and rescission hearings.

· Advises Board of Parole panel members regarding cases to be heard and those that must be postponed or adjourned.

· Records the Board of Parole disposition on all required records and documents in accordance with Department policies and procedures.

· Consults with the Board of Parole Commissioners regarding various details in particular case folders, and answers any questions that may arise.

Completes post-Board activities; supervises preparation of disposition reports; distributes disposition reports to OMH and OCFS; and ensures appropriate notification is provided to offenders.

May assist with, conduct, and/or make determinations in offender disciplinary hearings.

May be assigned as the FOIL designee, which includes responding both verbally and in writing to correspondence, communication, inquiries, and requests from the general public, attorneys, family members, service providers, public officials, and outside agencies.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

OFFENDER REHABILITATION COORDINATOR

Successful completion of a two-year traineeship; a bachelors degree in correctional studies, counseling, criminal justice, psychology, social work, sociology, or vocational rehabilitation and two years of experience providing individual and/or group counseling in a recognized correctional, criminal justice, or community/human services program aimed at assisting clients with the resolution of major social, behavior, and personal problems. Experience must have included responsibility for conducting counseling sessions designed to provide the participant(s) with counseling for significant social and personal problems such as alcohol and drug abuse, mental, behavioral, and emotional problems.

Substitution: a masters degree in correctional studies, counseling, criminal justice, psychology, social work, sociology, or vocational rehabilitation may be substituted for one year of the required experience.

SUPERVISING OFFENDER REHABILITATION COORDINATOR

One year of permanent service as an Offender Rehabilitation Coordinator (any parenthetic).

Attachment

Date: 1/14

NOTE: Classification Standards illustrate the nature, extent and scope of duties and responsibilities of the classes they describe. Standards cannot and do not include all of the work that might be appropriately performed by a class. The minimum qualifications above are those which were required for appointment at the time the Classification Standard was written. Please contact the Division of Staffing Services for current information on minimum qualification requirements for appointment or examination.

Parenthetic Attachment

OFFENDER REHABILITATION COORDINATOR (ALCOHOL AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT) provide on-going professional counseling and treatment services to offenders with problems of alcohol and/or substance abuse. Incumbents: assess offender needs and problems; develop and implement appropriate person-centered treatment plan for each assigned offender; continually evaluate the level and quality of participation and progression towards reasonably applied goals for each offender; and provide any other necessary services to ensure successful treatment. Incumbents work with other facility staff and provide/refer services in a variety of treatment modalities in order to assist the offender in addictions rehabilitation by: recruiting; screening; assessment; treatment planning and reviewing; continuing recovery planning; family re-integration planning; and individual and group counseling. In addition, incumbents may interview and provide referral services to parolees with alcohol and/or substance abuse problems and may consult with parole officers regarding releasees treatment needs and resources. Incumbents are also responsible for: guidance management functions; all mandatory treatment recording; membership on treatment plan review committees; and supervision of assigned Alcohol and Substance Abuse Treatment Program Assistant staff. They may also participate in group educational sessions as a leader or observer and provide training in alcohol or substance abuse issues.

SUPERVISING OFFENDER REHABILITATION COORDINATOR (ALCOHOL AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT) responsibility for the overall supervision of the delivery of counseling and case management services involving alcohol and substance abuse treatment by Offender Rehabilitation Coordinator (Alcohol and Substance Abuse Treatment) and Alcohol and Substance Abuse Treatment Program Assistants in correctional facilities. Incumbents: evaluate the effectiveness of the counseling program for alcohol and substance abuse and the provision of skilled guidance to offenders with difficult institutional, personal, behavioral, familial, social and educational problems involving such abuse; prepare written reports after compiling and assessing appropriate data; chairs Treatment Plan Review Committees; and supervises Offender Rehabilitation Coordinator (ASAT).

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

OFFENDER REHABILITATION COORDINATOR (ALCOHOL AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT)

A bachelors degree, and current certification as a New York State Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC), and one year of post certification experience as a group or individual counselor in a recognized alcohol and/or substance abuse treatment program providing ongoing counseling services in this area;

a specialized bachelors degree and two years of experience as a group or individual counselor in a recognized alcohol and/or substance abuse treatment program providing ongoing counseling services in this area;

a specialized masters degree and one year of this experience.

SUPERVISING OFFENDER REHABILITATION COORDINATOR (ALCOHOL AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT)

One year of permanent service as a Offender Rehabilitation Coordinator (Alcohol and Substance Abuse Treatment) or Offender Rehabilitation Coordinator (Alcohol and Substance Abuse Treatment) (Spanish Language);

one year as a Offender Rehabilitation Coordinator and the equivalent of one year of full-time experience in a position conducting alcohol and/or drug abuse treatment programs in the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. Such experience must have been gained within a specific ongoing scheduled program with a formal structure and must be documented by the Deputy Superintendent for Program Services or a Facility Superintendent and verified by the Director of the Office of Substance Abuse Treatment Services.

Substitution: a current certification as a New York Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (C.A.S.A.C.) may be substituted for the one year of required experience.